Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach 2013 Review - Was Jordy Smith Ripped?

With turns like this throughout the event, we have to ask how Jordy Smith did not win?

Ok, I am a South African and Jordy is my mate. This however is not what prompts my feelings on the results on the final day at Bells. I have sat and watched the Semi Final between Jordy and Adriano about ten times and I cannot see how Jordy lost that heat? Compare their two first scoring waves and it is clear that Adriano is over scored. He had a section of wave he had to half turn and hit a wobble and did less aggressive turns than Jordy, its that simple, yet he got a score in the 9's. Now take a look at Jordy's last wave, needing over a 9, he gets an 8.8 and I reckon the entire contest site, surfers and all the viewers were calling him getting the score. Now, I dont blame Adriano for this, in fact I think he ripped the whole contest, but the ASP judges need a good wake up klap! Either that or Jordy needs to start going up the stairs and throwing his weight around a little - maybe get some advice from Sunny Garcia...

Anyway, that is my rant. All in all the contest was absolutely amazing. Cooking waves throughout the rounds, including an old fashioned 8ft day at Bells, you could not ask for much more really. Early losses for Kelly Slater and Joel Parkinson opened the door for the rest of the field and allowed Adriano, Jordy and Taj to play catchup in the rankings. Stand out for the event must be tour rookie, Nat young, who absolutely caned every wave he got all the way to the final. I thought he had it for a while there. Jordy was looking his sublime and powerful best and must be thinking World Tour run this year.

Anyway, congrats Adriano! (Please dont rape the trophy again, a little decorum goes a long way!)

Next up Brazil, with probable shitty waves and the focus back on the air game. All in all, it looks to be a cracker year on the World Tour...

RVCA Junior Series Jbay Final Day - The Groms Caned It

Mikey February was on fire with the highest heat score of the event in the semi-finals & the U20 Win. (Photo: Stix)

Pro Surfing is all about rivalries and on the local Pro Junior PST Tour we are now looking at a absolute banger in the Under 20 Boys Division. Dylan Lightfoot won by a whisker at the Billabong Pro Junior in Durban, while Michael February fought him off with some world class surfing here in Jbay. Both of these surfers have a well rounded bag of tricks, both remind me of current World Tour Champions in style and outlook and both are hungry for victory both locally and abroad. The Tour heads to East London in 2 weeks time for the 2nd Billabong Pro Junior and I cannot wait to see how this battle unfolds.

Spare a thought though for the silent assassin  who missed out in Durban and did not find the waves in this event. Slade Prestwich is a big kid and has all the pedigree to challenge for the Tour Title. Along with David Brand and Max Armstrong, who was looking incredible through the first 2 days before having to leave for a family emergency. (We hope all is well with Armstrong Family.)

Emma Smith, the local girl with all the knowledge of the surf break at the Point, as well as some huge support from the local crowd, was always in my mind going to win the premier girls division.

My big surprise and probably also for the guys in his division was local kid, Rewaldo Abersalie. Coming through the development and grass roots programs in Jefferys Bay, he blazed the Under 14 Final with some quality surfing on his backhand. This kid is worth keeping an eye on!

All in all it was a great event, with some really good waves on the final day. RVCA did an excellent job of their first Pro Junior event and I am confident that this is the start of a long running competition.

RVCA Junior Series – Results

U20 Boys
1.  Michael February (Kommetjie) 12.85 (Tied – count back to best ride – 8.25 vs. 7.0)
2.  Dylan Lightfoot (Jeffreys Bay) 12.85
3.  David Brand (Kommetjie) 12.50
4.  Slade Prestwich (Durban North) 9.75

U20 Girls
1.  Emma Smith (Jeffreys Bay) 13.25
2.  Nicole Pallet (La Lucia) 11.25
3.  Tahra Uren (Jeffreys Bay) 7.50
4.  Nikita Kekana (Kalk Bay) 6.85

U16 Boys
1.  Steff Burrows (Stellenbosch) 12.0
2.  Sebastian Williams (Mexico) 11.25
3.  Adin Masencamp (Strand) 10.20
4.  Ethan Fletcher (Kommetjie) 7.75

U16 Girls
1.  Anoush Zakarian (Melkbosstrand) 13.0
2.  Ashleigh Vaughan (Port Elizabeth) 8.50
3.  Kayla Verreynne (Mossel Bay) 6.25
4.  Robin van der Merwe (Port Elizabeth) 5.60

U14 Boys
1.  Rewaldo Abersalie (Jeffreys Bay) 13.50
2.  Adin Masencamp (Strand) 11.50
3.  Sebastian Williams (Mexico) 7.50
4.  Ford van Jaarsveldt (Kommetjie) 6.50

U12 Boys
1.  Saxton Randall (Durban) 14.10
2.  Max Elkington (Hout Bay) 11.35
3.  Karl Steen (Morningside) 10.65
4.  York van Jaarsveldt (Kommetjie) 10.25

U10 Boys
1.  James Ribbink (Durban North) 10.50
2.  Christian Venter (Melkbosstrand) 9.50
3.  Alex Townsend (Cape Town) 5.65
4.  Viviers Strydom (George) 2.60

Fly Away Award
Michael February (Kommetjie)

On Fire Awards
Ford van Jaarsveldt (Kommetjie)
Adin Masencamp (Strand)

Carve Award
David van Zyl (Glenashley)

Highest Heat Score
Michael February (Kommetjie) – 19.50 out of 20 in U20 boys semi-final

The RVCA Junior Series is sanctioned by Surfing South Africa (SSA), recognised as the national controlling body for surfing and a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA). The events form part of the Pro Surf Tour (PST) with competitors in all the divisions earning points towards their 2013 PST rankings.

RVCA Junior Series Jbay Day 1

Wok and Warbot scaring the Groms! (Photo: Stix)

The RVCA Junior Series got under way yesterday with Day 1 action. The waves were small but the groms were caning it. My stand outs for the day were little girl ripper Kai Woolf, Max Elkington and Simo Mkize from Umzumbe. Check the video out...

Ford van Jaarsveldt working the small waves. (Photo: Stix)

Keep an eye on this gal! Kai Woolf ripping the Point. (Photo: Stix)

Flaming Hot Ditches - Red Bull Rich Ditches BMX

Eventual winner, Ben Hennon from the UK. (Photo: Red Bull)

Take a handfull of International BMX stars, some serious local talent and throw them in a huge canal/ditch in the baking summer sun in the middle of nowhere, some 2.5 hours drive from Cape Town and what do you get? One of the most awesome BMX events in the history of the game!

I missed it this year, but lucky for those of us who did, there is an awesome video to check out!

Quiksilver Pro 2013 Review - Kelly wins & the young guns falter...

Joel Parkinson showing his feelings for the Priority System in the Final. Kelly just smiles! (Photo: ASP)

I, like many out there, thought this was the year it was going to happen. The year that the old guard finally stepped aside as the wealth of new pumped up youngsters took control of their destinies and the World Tour. The old boys pretty much just bitch slapped that idea though. Kelly Slater glides to the final where he showed he sill has the surfing and the mental game to win, taking out crowd favorite and current World Champion, Joel Parkinson. The photo above shows the defining moment with Joel deep in a Kirra pit, but Kelly had priority and he used it. Sly old bastard!

These two were joined by Mick Fanning in the semi finals along with semi youngster Bourez. But where were Jordy Smith, John John, Medina and company? After a banging start Jordy lost to good mate and constantly overlooked Saffa, Travis Logie - will Jordy pick himself up and cane Bells? You tell me. John John cracked his ankle skating on a layday. Medina fumbles and the only guy of the new class to get anywhere was Julian Wilson, with a little support from Matti Wilko.

Bottom line - the old goats are not going anywhere! See ya at bells.

Shaun White and the 2013 XGames Run

The Flying Tomato gets some boss elevation!

Shaun White is the boss man when you talk Superpipe. 6 Gold Medals at the Xgames prove this. His runs are clinical, super extended and he gets more elevation than a airliner! Take a look at his run to the Gold in this year's Winter XGames...

Winter XGames 2013 Wrap Up!

What an XGames! As I predicted it was the Triple Cork show, with both Ski and Snowboard Slopestyle and Big Air dominated by the big trick. But, there was lots more on offer to, check out some of the highlights from an epic XGames...

After so many epic moments it would be really difficult to choose my Top 3, but I got to say after much debate it had to be these three! Shaun White winning a 6th Superpipe Gold Medal, the insane stomp Triple Cork by Horgmo in the Big Air and Henrik Harlaut going massive in the Ski Big Air. Check em out...

Winter Xgames 2013 - Day 1

Day 1 in Aspen and we have already had some crazy action in both Snowboard Super Pipe and of course the mayhem that is Snowmobile Freestyle. In the first final of 2013, it was Red Bull superstar, Levi LaVallee, who stormed the final to win yet another Gold! Check out his winning run...

The Snowmobile competition was pure carnage behind Levi with some monster crashes. Check out the worst ones...


Also on the menu for Day 1, was Mens Snowboard Super Pipe Elimination and all eyes were on the "Flying Tomato", Shaun White, to see what he was bringing to the party in 2013. He was highest out of the Pipe at 5.8m and scored enough in his first run to get through (Lucky to, as he flunked his second run)...


There was also way more going on as per usual at XGames, so check out the Day 1 Highlights...

Surreal BMX at the Red Bull Skylines 2012, Paris

Red Bull Skylines meant big lines for the BMX Crew in Paris (rutgerpauw.com/Red Bull Content Pool)

The world's top BMX riders came together at the Grand Palais in Paris, France, for what must be one of the most surreal BMX events on the planet. Everything from the venue, lighting, course and the tricks being pulled were on another level!

5600 spectators saw 25 of the Worlds top pro BMX riders compete in Red Bull Skylines at the Grand Palais in Paris, France. In front of a roaring crowd Ryan Nyquist (USA) came up with the title. Second place went to San Diego local Dennis Enarson and Daniel Dhers (Ven) turned it on and finished third in Paris. The set up impressed everyone who stepped inside the Grand Palais building and the event turned out to be one of the biggest BMX events France has ever seen. 

Levi Sherwood wins in Sydney and claims the Red Bull XFighters Title for 2012

Levi Sherwood is your 2012 XFighters Champion.

Levi Sherwood of New Zealand won the Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour with a thrilling victory in the final round of the 2012 season in Australia over his hard-charging rival Thomas Pages of France. Australia's Josh Sheehan salvaged an injury-shortened season with a series of brilliant runs to take third place in the soggy conditions on Cockatoo Island in Sydney Harbor. Pages has turned the sport of freestyle motocross on its head with a breathtaking array of new tricks and finished second overall in the World Tour standings after five competitions on four continents with 2011 champion Dany Torres of Spain taking third.

Red Bull Rampage 2012 - Gnarly Freeride MTB

Kurt Sorge supermans on his way to the Red Bull rampage Title for 2012. (Photo: Red Bull Content Pool)

The maddest Freeride event of the year went down in Utah over the weekend, with Kurt Sorge, ending up as Red Bull Rampage champion for 2012. The limits these guys push on this crazy course defy description.

Kelly Slater wins in perfect French Tubes! QuikPro France 2012

King Kelly takes win 51 in France!

I don't think you could ask for a better final day in professional surfing. Kelly versus Joel Parkinson and Jon Jon Florence versus Dane Reynolds, followed by a Dane and Kelly final. Some big names were also beaten early, meaning the world title race is now wide open! Joel has moved to number 1 with his 3rd place finish in France and Kelly slots in at number 2. This means poor Mick fanning has slipped to 3rd, followed by John John and Taj Burrows.it is super tight between the top 3 and you can believe that Portugal is going to be a huge fight for points.

Hats off to Dane Reynolds making the final as a wildcard. The guy ripped France and Kelly was the only guy ever looking like beating him. Kelly is a machine! With his 51st win on tour, he puts himself right back in the hunt for world title number 12 and solidifying his place as the greatest athlete of all time.

QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Kelly Slater (USA) 17.26 2 – Dane Reynolds (USA) 14.00

QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE SEMIFINALS RESULTS:
SF 1: Dane Reynolds (USA) 15.70 def. John John Florence (HAW) 15.60
SF 3: Kelly Slater (USA) 12.27 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 10.93

CURRENT ASP WCT TOP 5 (After Quiksilver Pro France):
1. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 46,200 pts
2. Kelly Slater (USA) 45,450 pts
3. Mick Fanning (AUS) 43,000
4. John John Florence (HAW) 39,150 pts
5. Taj Burrow (AUS) 31,900 pts

Mick Fanning claims the Billabong Pro Tahiti Title 2012

Fanning just got better and better as the contest progressed. (Photo: ASP)

After we had to wait for a full week between Round 2 and 3, thanks to no surf in Tahiti, the contest fired on the last 2 days of the waiting period. Mick Fanning charged hard to beat his good friend, Joel Parkinson, in the final and solidified his Number 1 spot on the 2012 ASP rankings. Joel did well to make it past John John Florence in the semi finals, as the kid from Hawaii was charging hard. John John will be stoked as his 3rd place puts him into 3rd on the World Tour Rankings. Joel now sits in 2nd place behind Mick and Kelly Slater, after being knocked out in Round 2 by Ricardo Santos, the wildcard, is in 4th place with Taj Burrows in 5th. Ricardo beat Kelly, Jordy Smith and Taj Burrows on his way to the Quarters and won the Andy Irons Award in the process. It was a solid performace from Mick though for the win and he will be seriously looking at a 3rd World Title now.

TEAHUPO’O, Taiarapu/Tahiti (Monday, August 27, 2012) – Mick Fanning (AUS), 31, has claimed the 2012 Billabong Pro Tahiti over compatriot and Gold Coast stablemate Joel Parkinson (AUS), 31, in classic four-to-six foot (1 – 1.5 metre) waves at Teahupo’o. Event No. 5 of 10 on the 2012 ASP World Championship Tour, the Billabong Pro Tahiti culminated in dynamic fashion today, with swell pulsing for the all-Australian Final. Fanning was put on the ropes early in the Final bout with Parkinson collecting a 9.50 and an 8.87 on his opening two rides. However, former event runner-up fought back mid-heat with an impressive 9.37 before backing it up with a nail-biting 9.50 to take the lead and hold it as the buzzer ran out. With today’s win, Fanning has become the first Australian since Mark Occhilupo (AUS), 46, in 1999 to claim the Billabong Pro Tahiti title and has further cemented himself into the frontrunner spot on the 2012 ASP WCT rankings. “It’s a 35 minute Final so I knew the waves were going to come,” Fanning said. “I just had to be patient. It’s Teahupo’o so it goes on and off. You can get two 10s in two minutes so I knew I just needed to keep my composure throughout the Final. Joel (Parkinson) is such an incredible surfer and he’s gotten so good out here. He raced out to an early lead and I knew I needed to focus on my own game plan. I got that good score about mid-heat and then was able to sell him when he had priority on one that didn’t pan out for him. The second wave was the one and it’s an incredible feeling to come back and get the win. I’m stoked.” Today’s win marks the 15th elite victory of Fanning’s career, and the second of this season (after a win at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach in April). The two-time ASP World Champion is now firmly in the frontrunner spot on the ASP WCT ratings heading into the back half of the season. “Teahupo’o is one of the spots that I’ve worked hard on throughout my career to improve at,” Fanning said. “I made a Final out here before, but to come away with the win is great for my confidence and I’m in a good position heading into the next half of the year. Early days though and there are a lot of guys right up there. It’s still anyone’s game at this point.” Throughout the event, Parkinson consistently established himself as one of the preeminent backhand tube-riders on the planet. Despite an early lead in the Final, Parkinson priority decision in the dying moments opened the door for Fanning to pounce. “I held the lead in a 35-minute Final until the four minute mark,” Parkinson said. “It’s frustrating to lose that way, but you cannot fault Mick (Fanning). He’s been a true champion through the event and has proven that he’s one to watch out at Teahupo’o for sure.” Parkinson currently sits at No. 2 on the ASP WCT rankings at the halfway mark on the 2012 season. “It’s the second Final of the year for me and another good result,” Parkinson said. “I feel like I’m strong at all the remaining events on tour and I’ll shake this one off and start focusing on Trestles.” John John Florence (HAW), 19, competing in his first-ever Billabong Pro Tahiti, led the rookie charge at this year’s installment, confidently cruising into the Semifinals where he matched up with Parkinson. Despite locking in an impressive 9.67 out of a possible 10 for an impressive backhand tube, Florence was unable to find a solid backup score and finished the event with an Equal 3rd. “I’m stoked to have made the Semifinals,” Florence said. “I would have loved to make the Finals and it’s not the funnest way to lose without a lot of waves in the heat, but it’s still a good result for me. Thanks to all the Tahitians for letting us come here and surf their wave for the week. It’s a beautiful place and I always love coming here.” Florence moves from 5th to 3rd on the current ASP WCT rankings. Owen Wright (AUS), 22, last year’s event runner-up, looked poised for another Final’s berth today, posting an 18.96 to eliminate compatriot Julian Wilson (AUS), 23, and an 18.90 to oust former champ C.J. Hobgood (USA), 33, en route to his Semifinal match against Fanning. The young Australian continued his forehand dominance at Teahupo’o, netting an 18.10 in the process, but was unable to overtake the current ASP WCT frontrunner. “The waves were so perfect today that you can’t really be to disappointed in a loss,” Wright said. “I felt like I was surfing well all day and I put up a couple of 9s in my heat against Mick (Fanning) so there’s not too much to be upset about. Congrats to Mick on the win though. He’s been super impressive all event with his backhand tube-riding and hopefully I get the opportunity to return the favor at the next stop at Trestles.” Wright’s Equal 3rd finish today moves the young goofy-footer from 9th to 7th on the current ASP WCT rankings. Ricardo dos Santos (AUS), two time Trials winner and wildcard into the Billabong Pro Tahiti, was awarded the Andy Irons Forever Award for his inspirational performance at Teahupo’o this year. Despite bowing out in the Quarterfinals this morning to Fanning, Dos Santos was very emotional upon being awarded the prestigious honor. “Andy (Irons) was…is my hero,” Dos Santos said. “This Award means just as much, if not more than, winning the event for me. He is my inspiration and he is the reason I surf. He is the reason I surf Teahupo’o. To be awarded this by the Irons’ family is the biggest honor. Thank you.” Highlights from the Billabong Pro Tahiti will be available via http://www.billabongpro.com The Billabong Pro, Tahiti is made possible with the valued support of international partners Air Tahiti Nui, Sony, Xperia Sony Smartphone and Red Bull, along with our friends at Nixon, VonZipper, Mana and Hyundai. The next stop on the 2012 ASP World Championship Tour will be the Hurley Pro at Trestles from September 16 – 22, 2012. For more information, log onto www.ASPWorldTour.com

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Mick Fanning (AUS) 18.87
2 – Joel Parkinson (AUS) 18.37

BILLABONG PRO TAHITI SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Mick Fanning (AUS) 18.93 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 18.10
QF 2: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 17.14 def. John John Florence (HAW) 15.17 BILLABONG PRO

CURRENT ASP WCT TOP 5 (After Billabong Pro Tahiti)
1. Mick Fanning (AUS) 34,750 pts
2. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 31,700 pts
3. John John Florence (HAW) 27,450 pts
4. Kelly Slater (USA) 25,450 pts
5. Taj Burrow (AUS) 24,950 pts

MTB goes Slopestyle with Red Bull Joyride 2012

Red Bull bring you the most crazy MTB event of all time, the Joyride. Just check out the size of some of the tricks and obstacles. Must be one of the biggest backflips ever done on a bicycle during this event...

Red Bull XFighters Munich 2012

Tom Pages celebrates victory!

Welcome to the penultimate event on the 2012 Red Bull XFighters World Tour, in Munich. Levi Sherwood just needed to win to secure his World Title, but Frenchman, Tom pages, had other ideas. Pulling mad new tricks like "the Vault" and his patented "Flair", he took down the final against Danny Torres to win without one backflip!

Red Bull XFighters Madrid 2012

Levi Sherwood (NZ) on his way to victory!

New Zealand's Levi Sherwood won an epic battle against Dany Torres and a pulsating crowd of 20,000 frenzied Spaniards at the Madrid stop of the Red Bull X-Fighters $1 million World Tour. It was another magical evening under the stars at the world's most exciting freestyle motocross event with another Spaniard, Maikel Melero, getting the first podium of his career with third place.

Want more action? Take a look at this: http://www.redbull.com/cs/Satellite/en_INT/Red-Bull-X-Fighters/001243148660786

The Perfect Storm - Billabong Pro Jbay 2012

Wok and I hard at work! (Photo: AVG)

First things first, I arrived in Jbay on the back of a 41 hour trip from LA. To say I am broken would have been an understatement. Never the less, I woke to perfect waves at the best point in the world and a contest site frothing for what was going to be one of the best 6 Star events of all time. The biggest storm of all time was on the horizon and contest director, Luke Egan, wanted the event done before it arrived. Enter 3 days of 24 heats per day and a crew of workers and surfers who went full tilt to the finals, where the most full tilt surfer of them all was awarded victory in the form of Brazilian, Adriano da Souza. While this was all going on I found myself in the holy grail of seats for a person dedicated to talking about surfing, the Billabong Pro webcast booth, along with my main man Wok. We were given an opportunity and we both grasped it with open arms. My feeling is that we brought something fresh to the webcast and hopefully that will be rewarded with more time in the booth at big contests. We snuck the event under the storm radar and then got thoroughly bolted by what must be the most insane storm I have ever seen at Jbay. It was ok though, we were happy to chill indoors with a glass of Red wine after the best contest in a very long time!

Here is my radio show with fellow commentator, Greg Long, contest director, Luke Egan, Billabong SA main skiet, Chad da Arcy and Billabong Events manager, The Heff! Have a listen and understand fully what went down at this momentous event!

SoundCloud Link: Listen Here

If for some reason you were living under a rock, check out the video highlights.

Volcom Pro Fiji - The first 2 Days

Julian Wilson (AUS), 23, ASP Dream Tour sophomore, put in a sensational performance, netting the event high heat total of an 18.57 out of a possible 20, in Round 2 of the Volcom Fiji Pro. (Photo: ASP)

We wanted it back, the surfers wanted it back and Volcom came to the party. The first weekend of the Volcom Fiji Pro did not disappoint as the world's best surfers were treated to solid 8-10ft Cloudbreak for Round 1 and 2. There are still 2 heats left to surf in Round 2, but the focus is now on Round 3. Yesterday is was a lay day, but there is a massive swell tracking towards Fiji and most of the guys will have probably phoned home to order bigger boards.

The surfers to impress so far in Round 1 were Jordy Smith, who in the first heat of the event scored a 9 for a really good backhand tube ride. Enter, Mitch Coleburn, the wildcard, who surfed an incredible heat to beat Kelly Slater and Kai Otton. The kid is not really known as a competitive surfer, being from the new school, free surfing, lifestyle, making video parts, but he out classed the other 2 surfers scoring the highest heat total of the round. He is definitely worth keeping an eye on as the competition progresses. John John, Mick, Joel and Owen all comfortably through to Round 3.

In round 2, the swell dropped a little but got way cleaner and it was Julian Wilson setting the pace with the highest heat score of the event and some amazing tube riding. Matt Wilkinson found himself losing with a heat score that would of won most of the other Round 2 heats, against an on fire Miguel Pupo. Josh Kerr, who tore his ankle the day before, strapped up and grinned through the pain to ride an epic tube and progress to the the 3rd Round. Kelly Slater also made short work of the local Fiji wildcard. Gabriel Medina scored the first 10 Point ride of the event with an incredible tube that had the commentators thinking he had not made it, when he blew out the section with the spit.

Next up is Round 3 and with the swell expected to boom the big question is, will they keep the guys at huge Cloudbreak or shift to Restaurants in front of the Tavarua Lodge? i am hoping for massive 10-15ft Cloudbreak with the best surfers in the world on it, but we will have to wait and see. Match ups in Round 3 to look out for are John John versus Adrian Buchan, Kerr versus Damien Hobgood, Parko versus Coleburn and Kelly Slater versus Freddy P. 

Tod Potter wins on the biggest FMX Track ever - Red Bull XFighters USA

Tod Potter won his first Red Bull XFighters this past weekend on what most people are referring to as the biggest FMX course ever built. Don't believe me? Check out this video...

American Todd Potter was the king of the hill at the second stop of the $1 million 2012 Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour on Saturday, mastering the biggest and most challenging course in the history of the sport in front of an enthusiastic Southern California crowd.
Todd Potter was the master of the 60-foot high step up that scared half of the field away from the biggest hill jump ever included in a Red Bull X-Fighters course to beat Frenchman Thomas Pagès in a thrilling duel of fearless aerial specialists under the blazing heat of Southern California. American Wes Agee also thrived on the hill-filled California-style track, getting a a superb third place in his first-ever competition and winning the Swatch Best Move.

John John Florence wins the Billabong Pro Rio - Enters the World Title Race

John John gives notice! (Photo: ASP)

I can only chuckle away thinking of the last year of surf media and commentary. No one denied that John John Florence had the talent or the desire to be a world champion. It is just that such a song and dance have been made over Gabriel Medina and Kohole Andino. The entire surf media have been claiming these two young and phenomenal surfers as the future, with little to no similar treatment of John John. They would reply, sure John John is amazing at Pipeline and will be a definite threat at Fiji and Tahiti, but that is really, is it not? Well surf media and the world, John John just gave notice in the beach breaks of Brazil, it does not matter what the waves are doing, he wants to win and he wants a world title! Joel Parkinson swooped to the finals with his usual tube riding and incredible turns, but he had nothing to give against John John in the final, where he found himself in combo land after just 4 minutes. The old guard are starting to show chinks in their armor especially when the waves are asking for massive punts and technical aerials. John John has these on demand along with his phenomenal tube riding skills.

The results in Brazil see Joel Parkinson take the lead in the World Title race, with good mate Mick Fanning right behind him and Josh Kerr rocketing into 3rd place. John John's win takes him into 6th place on the rankings just in front of our own Jordy Smith. Heading to Fiji and the possibility of giant Cloudbreak and endless tubes, John John must be a favorite and no one on tour is going to want him in their heats with his confidence this high! I cannot wait for the event, though it is going to be night owl hours for those of us watching in South Africa.
Congrats John John!